Launched in 2021, Orfali Bros Bistro is an unlicensed gastronomic bistro and test kitchen located in Dubai’s Wasl 51 neighbourhood. Founded by three brothers originally from Syria, its menu features dishes with a core Middle Eastern theme paying homage to the brothers’ Aleppian roots, while capturing 'the multiculturalism and avant-garde spirit of Dubai'.
Dubai-based Indian restaurant Trèsind Studio placed at number two with Fusions by Tala, in Manama, Bahrain, ranked number three.
The most populous city in the United Arab Emirates continued to dominate the remainder of the top five, with Ossiano at Dubai’s The Atlantis taking fourth place and 3 Fils at the Jumeirah Fishing Harbour taking fifth place.
The ranking of restaurants is chosen by a panel of 250 anonymous voters, who can select seven restaurants each from across the region.
The inaugural The Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants list was announced last year, with Dubai-based casual contemporary restaurant 3 Fils topping the list.
The Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants list in full
1. Orfali Bros Bistro, Dubai, UAE
2. Tresind Studio, Dubai, UAE
3. Fusions by Tala, Manama, Bahrain
4. Ossiano, Dubai, UAE
5. 3 Fils, Dubai, UAE
6. George & John, Tel Aviv, Israel
7. Kinoya, Dubai, UAE
8. Fakhreldin, Amman, Jordan
9. Zooba, Cairo, Egypt
10. Moonrise, Dubai, UAE
11. Reif Kushiyaki, Dubai, UAE
12. Kazoku, Cairo, Egypt
13. Zuma, Dubai, UAE
14. OCD, Tel Aviv, Israel
15. Lowe, Dubai, UAE
16. Baron, Beirut, Lebanon
17. Gaia, Dubai, UAE
18. Myazu, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
19. Tawlet Mar Mikhael, Beirut, Lebanon
20. Em Sherif, Beirut, Lebanon
21. LPM, Dubai, UAE
22. Sachi, Giza, Egypt
23. Marble, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
24. A by Yuval Ben Neriah, Tel Aviv, Israel
25. CUT by Wolfgang Puck, Manama, Bahrain
26. Hoseki, Dubai, UAE
27. La Grande Table Marocain, Marrakech, Morocco
29. Shams El Balad, Amman, Jordan
30. Sachi, Cairo, Egypt
31. Masso, Manama, Bahrain
32. Animar, Tel Aviv, Israel
33. Coya, Abu Dhabi, UAE
34. La Closerie, Tunis, Tunisia
35. 11 Woodfire, Dubai, UAE
36. Sufra, Amman, Jordan
37. Iloli, Casablanca, Morocco
38. LPM, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
39. Sesamo, Marrakech, Morocco
40. Milgo Milbar, Tel Aviv, Israel
41. Alee, Amman, Jordan
42. White Robata, Kuwait City, Kuwait
43. Zuma, Abu Dhabi, UAE
44. Jun’s, Dubai, UAE
45. Reif Kushiyaki, Cairo, Egypt
46. +61, Marrakech, Morocco
47. 13C Bar in the Back, Amman, Jordan
48. HaBasta, Tel Aviv, Israel
49. Hakkasan, Abu Dhabi, UAE
50. Bonjiri, Salmiya, Kuwait